Hale replayed the plot and his memories again and again in his mind.

Certain he hadn’t acted as a traitor to the Papal Dominion, he glanced at Siman, recalling her earlier behavior.

What’s going on?

She seemed to think he’d been turned into a spy by Xia Kingdom’s honey trap.

If he really wanted to be a Xia spy, he’d have fled the Papal Dominion ages ago.

Right—he remembered now.

Several story routes did show Hale becoming a traitor, but triggering them required strict conditions.

First: if the Great Xia Princess was the main heroine, with multiple intimate encounters followed by the Great Xia unification path.

Second: after becoming involved with the true heroine—the Demon God’s heir, the Demon Princess—and forging an alliance between her and Great Xia.

In that route, Hale acted somewhat rationally. His deaths included falling to the Papal Dominion while protecting the Demon Princess, or perishing alongside her in various bad endings.

Or, after repeated contact with the Demon Princess, the Demon God’s bloodline would irreversibly corrupt him until her harem—other heroines—joined forces to end his life.

That route was notoriously deadly, even more so than the Xia Kingdom path.

After all, in routes centered on other heroines, dragging things out too long often meant…

…the heroine died off-screen before even appearing.

Not even a trace left behind.

All in all, Hale had no desire to be a traitor—and was certain he hadn’t become one.

He spoke again:

"Investigator Avman, may I ask what evidence proves I’ve engaged in espionage?"

Siman’s anxiety spiked.

*Hale, can’t you act normal for once?* she thought desperately. *The Inquisition Bureau wouldn’t be here without proof!*

But Avman remained silent.

He’d only received orders citing suspicion and instructing him to test Hale.

A quick skim of Hale’s file revealed little—nothing notable beyond being an admiral’s son.

His womanizing reputation, however, made him a plausible recruitment target.

So Avman first approached Siman, feigning certainty of Hale’s guilt. From her reactions en route, he deduced the likely trigger: women.

"Young Master Hale," Avman said carefully, "you may have been unwittingly exploited by Xia Kingdom spies. Please recount recent events honestly."

Hale’s eyes narrowed. *Bluffing?*

"If I’m unaware yet the Bureau knows," he countered smoothly, "then you’ve identified the spy who used me. Take me to them—it’ll resolve everything."

After verifying his memories, he felt steady. With his father’s backing, he could even push back.

"Just admit which woman you’ve been sneaking around with! You’ve been duped and don’t even know it?!" Siman burst out, voice tight with panic.

Hale’s defiance and clever arguments—if espionage were proven, his punishment would only worsen.

"Miss Siman," Lofu interjected coolly, "with respect, Young Master hasn’t consorted with anyone. After school, he stays in his study or practices swordsmanship."

Lofu disliked Siman. This cousin had once clung to the young master, yet now kept distance—and even spoke ill of him.

What had he done? Upset she wasn’t the center of attention?

Frankly, he wasn’t her boyfriend or fiancé. Even if he spent time with other ladies, it was none of her business.

Hale gave a slight nod, then met Avman’s gaze.

*No evidence. Phew.*

Otherwise, being branded a traitor at the start would skyrocket his death rate.

"Young Master Hale," Avman continued, "the specific suspicion… relates to your mother."

"Huh?"

"Your black hair and eyes differ entirely from Western Continentals. Theoretically, your late mother carried half Eastern Continental blood, but—"

*Holy crap.*

Hale froze.

He recalled the mirror earlier, when Lofu helped him change.

At the time, it felt normal—but now he realized: his face matched his "past life" self exactly.

Confirmation struck him. When designing Hale’s "ultimate pervert" persona, he’d used his own face.

Thus, the "suspected Xia spy" plotline would auto-trigger with Eastern features—regardless of involvement with princesses.

Mid-game would even hint Hale wasn’t Duke Faxius’s biological son, but a foster child placed with House Faxius by a mysterious figure.

No matter. Clear the suspicion first.

"But what does that prove, Investigator Avman?" Hale’s tone was calm. "I have Eastern features, yet remain a loyal citizen of the Papal Dominion. My father, Duke Faxius, guards our borders. I command the Third Squad of the Black Knights Order. There’s no reason to doubt me—or drag my late, pitiful mother into this. If the Bureau has evidence, I’ll go willingly."

He shifted stance. "But if not—was today’s intrusion justified? Does the Bureau’s authority extend to arbitrarily suspecting youths destined to serve the Papal Dominion?"

"Hale, you—" Siman stammered, stunned.

Before, he’d lazily snap, "My dad’s an admiral—talk to him."

Now? Composed. Logical.

*Was someone coaching him? A Xia spy?!*

"Young Master Hale makes a fair point, but—"

"But you have no evidence. I won’t go. Simple as that." Hale cut him off.

Avman fell silent. Truly, no proof existed.

He’d expected an easy target—but Hale’s poise genuinely reflected an admiral’s son.

Personal conduct? The Papal Dominion tolerated flaws in capable hands.

Still, protocol demanded a warning.

"Then I urge caution moving forward. Many noble youths have fallen prey. I hope we need not meet again—and that your father remains untarnished."

...

"Hale, you must recognize this matter’s gravity," Siman insisted, still convinced he’d been deceived by a female spy.

To her, the Inquisition Bureau’s Enforcement Division was a sacred path to the White Knights. They never acted without cause. *They must have evidence.*

Avman’s departure? Merely leniency due to Hale’s father.

"Our families are vital to national defense. You—"

"Fine. You’re right."

Hale watched the white-stockinged knight’s flushed, frustrated face. He didn’t bother explaining.

Whatever. She wouldn’t believe him anyway.